Button: Hamilton move a big loss

Jenson Button thinks that Lewis Hamilton's departure from McLaren is a big loss for the team.

Hamilton will move to Mercedes for the 2013 season; the first time in his F1 career that he will not race under the McLaren umbrella.

"With Lewis leaving, obviously the team loses a very fast driver, a guy that's achieved a lot with the team, wins and obviously a World Championship - the last guy to win a World Championship for the team. It is a big loss but things change and you learn to move on and adapt. It's definitely not the end of two strong drivers at McLaren".

Button was asked about what his future team mate, Sergio Perez, can bring to the team.

"Obviously it's very difficult to know what he [Perez] brings to the team, because he's not there yet. I think Sergio will be fast but I really don't know. He's obviously unknown in a McLaren, because he's not there yet. But it's a great opportunity for Checo and I'm sure he will take it with both hands".

Hamilton will join the same outfit that Button departed from in 2009 as world champion. Since Button's departure, the team - under Mercedes - has taken just a single victory and their former driver believes Hamilton could be in for a challenge at his new team.

"I think the first year with a new team is always a little bit tricky. It's a new experience for Lewis. I'm sure he's excited about it. I really don't know. He's as quick as they come but sometimes it's not that easy to win Grand Prix and to build a team around you and also to help a team achieve great results".